I entered my image of Robert Stevenson from “A Silent Film” into The Pop Cop’s annual Scottish Music Photograph of the year competition, which was this year judged by world famous photographer Harry Benson.

Harry has a back catalogue that would be the envy of any photographer- he has photographed multiple US Presidents, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Clint Eastwood, Churchill, and many other key characters over the decades. Its a great honour to have Harry look at my work.

I was awarded third place in the competition, with the critique “Very moody, a bit of a film noir approach, done very well”. I don’t think I could be happier with that!

Harry’s website: www.harrybenson.com
The Pop Cop- excellent Scottish music blog: thepopcop.blogspot.com

Much thanks to The Skinny for inviting me down- and all the bands, musicians, DJs and entertainers who made it such a great night.

Read The Skinny’s preview article here: The Skinny & Ten Tracks Twisted Kids Birthday Party

I was asked to shoot the Malcolm Middleton show last night in Edinburgh, part of the Edge festival (The new name for T on the Fringe). He played out to a packed Cabaret Voltaire, and the lack of photo pit made things just that bit harder! A great set and enthusuastic crowd made the gig a joy to shoot.

Read the review online here: http://www.theskinny.co.uk

Awesome night Slanted + Enchanted had on the go on Sunday. Started off with the wonderfully layered and melodic soundscapes of debutant, and ended with the volume of London bands 85 Bears and Elks.

S+E are putting on some very good nights in Aberdeen, and getting bands up from all over… look out for the next one.

I was asked by Indian Red Lopez to take photos for them on the first date of a short UK tour. A short instore afternoon gig (which they turned into a street event, gathering a decent sized crowd during the set) was followed later that night by a slot supporting “A Silent Film” in Moshulu.

The tour is in support of their excellent new EP, Castles Incomplete, which is now available. For details of the bands tour and to hear some of their music, head to their myspace: http://www.myspace.com/indianredlopez

I’m currently going through my back catalogue and making some prints of my best images. I think I keep this kind of image on screen far too much. This is one of my favourite music photographs: its of Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit, during an intimate moment at the end of their September gig in Aberdeen. A silent crowd watching one man unplugged and on acoustic guitar, after an energetic set.

See the music photography portfolio on my website for some of my best images, at: iammartin.co.uk/pages/music.shtml

I was invited to photograph Hot Chip at The Forum, Aberdeen, as they played a gig for Tennents Mutual- a new series of gigs across Scotland to replace the always excellent Triptych festival. I also got the chance to photograph them backstage while they were being interviewed by Fence Collectives’ The Pictish Trail for the article- very strange to hear a band and a musician in conversation with no audience!

As the first of two Tennents Mutual gigs this week, I was sent to Inverness to photograph Teenage Fanclub; supported by King Creosote and Rob St. John. My second appointment with the new Mutual festival is with Hot Chip and Max Tundra, in Aberdeen at the end of the week.

I covered the Belladrum Tartan Heart music festival for The Skinny last weekend, and had an excellent time doing so. Belladrum is based near Inverness, and is very much a family-orientated festival. The headliners are not as big as some festivals put on, but the effort everyone puts in is massive- You are encouraged to dress up in the most ridiculous fashion possible, and to really get involved in the spirit of the event. There were so many things going on away from the stages: salsa classes, a didgeridoo player, all kinds of stalls and entertainers, and a great vibe. I’d have no problems in doing it all again!

For more information see the Belladrum website